Alberta family calls for answers after father dies, daughter injured in highway crash
CBC
Laurel Cousens describes her niece, 21-year-old Victoria Fortuna, as beautiful, intelligent, funny and brave.
Victoria, a student at MacEwan University in Edmonton, is currently recovering in hospital after sustaining life-altering injuries in a crash that killed her father on Feb. 8.
Victoria and Paul Fortuna, 53, were struck by a car while changing a tire on the shoulder of Anthony Henday Drive near Wye Road, according to RCMP.
Paul was pronounced dead by police at the scene. He was in Edmonton visiting Victoria from their hometown, Calgary.
Cousens told CBC News that Victoria’s mother, Colleen Fortuna, is “grieving for her beautiful baby girl,” who will have to learn how to walk again after the crash.
“We're heartbroken. … Victoria did not deserve this.”
Victoria will need specialized mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and prosthetics, and will require accessibility modifications in her home during and after her recovery which is expected to take months, said Cousens.
“It's going to take a long time for her to regain her independence again.”
Cousens said Victoria, a fine arts student who likes to act, is beginning to realize she may not again be able to do the things she loves because of her injuries.
“She should be enjoying her life. She should be studying. She should be writing exams. … She should be out with her friends. And instead, she's in hospital, fighting for her life and grieving the loss of her beloved father.”
Paul and Victoria were close, said Cousens, and were fans of the Edmonton Oilers. Going to the team’s games was one of their favourite things to do with each other.
“Yesterday, she was like, ‘I just want a hug from my dad,’” said Cousens. “She's facing the biggest hurdle of her life, and she just wants a hug from her dad and she can't have that.”
There is a GoFundMe set up for the family to cover costs associated with Victoria’s rehabilitation.
On the site, the family expressed gratitude for the support they have received.
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